Venous thromboembolism in the setting of orthopedic trauma surgery

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, can result in serious medical complications and is the leading cause of preventable hospital deaths. Risk of VTE is especially concerning in orthopedic trauma, where VTE incidences of up to 80% can result in significant morbidity following surgery. Studies investigating VTE in orthopedic trauma have identified predisposing factors for VTE that can be used to stratify patients for risk of developing thrombosis. Additionally, an assortment of diagnostic procedures may be used to reliably detect or exclude VTE, and various methods of VTE prophylaxis has been shown to reduce patient morbidity and mortality. However, many orthopedic trauma patients who present with known risk factors still do not receive the prophylaxis they need, and hospital resources may be misused when inappropriate diagnostic tests are ordered. As a result, it is critical for physicians working in orthopedic trauma to be aware of validated methods for VTE management, including known risk factors, diagnostic tools, and prophylactic methods, to appropriately and efficiently manage VTE. The purpose of this review is to centralize information about the management of VTE in orthopedic trauma. Articles included were selected from leading journals and online databases based on their scientific merit and applicability to clinical orthopedics. By consolidating information about VTE management, it will be possible to identify areas that need further research and ultimately create guidelines that standardize the treatment of VTE in orthopedic trauma across multiple institutions.